The UpNUp Podcast

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 2nd #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them.

For The Listener By The Listener

This weeks guest is loyal listener & culture cultivator, @theishyu. Make sure to tune in and show some love to a listener who's always on #TheUpNUp

Ep.27: 'T A B L E S Turned, Blessings Earned'

Ep.22: 'What's on your M I N D?'

Ep.24: 'R E N N A I S S A N C E talk'

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', women's rights advocate, equal pay champion, and community builder, Sage Quiamno (@sageq), Co-Founder of 'Future For Us' (@futureforus.now), share's her journey of unleashing the greatness that is, women of color. From her early upbringing as a native Hawaiian, being influenced by her grandmothers fight for equal pay in the 1940's, she brought her teachings into the modern day to help all women of color earn what's rightfully theirs. Whether it was about her work helping women across the country receive $500k in salary increases, job promotions, and advancement, her fight for women's rights is one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’ kicking off 2019, ultra-creative and ultra-focused artist ‘Nu Davinci’ (@nudavinci206) gives us an inside look at what it means to re-invent yourself for the “level up”. From treading the successful “hoop dreams” path to having to face the music due to injury, little did he know it was the music that was waiting to face him all along. Whether it’s all about his consistency in music/video releases, the right way to network as an up and coming artist, starting his own label/collective ‘Good Vibes Only’ (@gvocollective) w/ his team, this is one story guaranteed to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', musical curator of culture Bobby Akinboro aka DJ Blast (@ogblast)takes us all on a journey of a true commitment to progress/elevation. From starting his own media company 'Blastography' at age 16, which eventually led him to turn his tables around using the same tables that turn the crowds up, the process was never cheated. Whether it was how he got his first big break DJ'ing for Pitbull or tending to his African roots and working with Wale along with other artists on his recently released 'Orisirisi V' mixtape, all the work he's doing ties directly to his drive to pay it forward for his people. The DJ Blast story is one that is guaranteed to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', world renowned hip-hop artist, Essam Muhammad, takes us on a journey from early childhood trauma, to sourcing that same trauma to grace stages across the world positively uplifting crowds through art/expression. From the humble beginnings of being raised by a single mother who's battling illnesses, witnessing violence in his neighborhood, all the while trying to find his lane, it was the microphone that gave him the guiding light he needed. Whether it's about how a kid from South Seattle found his passion through pain or how he's now gracing stages for crowds in places such as South Africa, Malaysia, Belgium, U.K, and many more, the Essam Muhammad story is definitely one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

New '12.12' album available on all music platforms, listen, share & support!!!

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Co-Founder of pre-automotive, beginning-to-end car shopping solution 'PREA'(www.prea.io), Denise Aguilar, shares a story of a roller-coaster journey ending up in her becoming a female power player in the automotive industry. Her early upbringing on the East Coast, dealing with trying to find her niche professionally, all the while fighting the resistance/intersectionality of being Afro-Latina made for one helluva success path. Whether it was moving to Seattle on a whim with hopes of building a dream that can allow her to bring other women up along with her, learning how to show your worth in business or just living your best life through the process, her story is no doubt one that will keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, Tacoma native and jack of all trades Isaiah Jimenez discusses his journey to becoming the ultimate conduit for creatives and culture within his city and beyond. He shares his role in putting together the ‘Building Men Program’, focused on empowering 3rd-5th grade boys at numerous elementary schools in the city with the tools they need to thrive on their road ahead. Through coordinating countless events for the culture to be able to embrace one another, as well as being a host for his new podcast, ‘Dont Shoot the Messenger', his hustle never settles. His dream is to help remedy the gap that exists between both Seattle and Tacoma’s black communities, with hopes of us all creating a modern day renaissance movement. This is a journey that will definitely help keep us all on #TheUpNUp

'Don't Shoot The Messenger' podcast available now on SoundCloud

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', change agent and community leader, Wyking Garrett, discusses the rich history of Africa within the city of Seattle and how AfricaTown (@africatownsea) is now our job to build. We discuss his early upbringing being amongst black leaders in the city on the front lines, as well as his grandfather's co-founding of 'Liberty Bank' in 1968, as the first ever black owned bank west of the Mississippi here in Seattle's Central District. Wyking has worked hard through his journey to help lead the push of reclaiming our greatness through projects like the 'Liberty Bank Building', 'AfricaTown', 'BlackDot' and many other amazing projects to continue cultivating our culture. His story and path to elevating his people is no doubt one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

To receive updates connected to the AfricaTown movement on how you can stay in the loop make sure to text the word "HOME" with your name to 206-309-6234 and help be the change you want to see in your community!

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', professional/licensed mental health therapist, Ashley McGirt, leads a powerful discussion about her journey toward helping create a more mentally stable/healthy world. She shares stories of how a lack of black representation within therapy existed when she was a child and is what motivated her to change that narrative which still exists today. Whether it's about how we can normalize our discussions around mental health, stigmas regarding black males seeking therapy, or tips on how we can all make small strides each day, this discussion is essential for us all to continue staying on #TheUpNUp

Make sure to read Ashley's best selling book 'I Tried to Travel it Away', available on Amazon now!!!

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', best friends and business partners, Ariv Adiaman and Kasim Siddiqui, help dispel the stigma around the phrase "Never do business with your friends". From meeting their freshmen year in college, treading a successful corporate climb after college, the need for wanting to build something they could be proud of quickly forced them to leave their careers and launch their own Real Estate and Investment Firm 'Vozhi' (@Vozhi). Whether it's how they learned how to successfully grow in the Real Estate market flipping properties, getting recognized by 'Puget Sound Business Journal' (@pugetsoundbusinessjournal) for their deals, or more importantly partnering w/ 'Technology Access Foundation' (@stembytaf) to help pay the knowledge forward and build up our underrepresented youth, this story will definitely keep us all on #TheUpNUp